I welcome the resolution adopted yesterday by the United Nations
Security Council, which is designed to bring an immediate end to the
fighting sparked last month by an unprovoked terrorist attack on Israel
by Hizballah, a terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria. The United
States and its allies have been working hard since the beginning of this
conflict to create the conditions for an enduring ceasefire and prevent
armed militias and foreign-sponsored terrorist groups like Hizballah
from sparking another crisis.

Yesterday's resolution aims to end Hizballah's attacks on Israel and
bring a halt to Israel's offensive military operations. It also calls
for an embargo on the supply of arms to militias in Lebanon, for a
robust international force to deploy to southern Lebanon in conjunction
with Lebanon's legitimate armed forces, and for the disarming of
Hizballah and all other militia groups operating in Lebanon. These
steps are designed to stop Hizballah from acting as a state within a
state, and put an end to Iran and Syria's efforts to hold the Lebanese
people hostage to their own extremist agenda. This in turn will help to
restore the sovereignty of Lebanon's democratic government and help
ensure security for the people of Lebanon and Israel.

The loss of innocent life in both Lebanon and Israel has been a great
tragedy. Hizballah and its Iranian and Syrian sponsors have brought an
unwanted war to the people of Lebanon and Israel, and millions have
suffered as a result. I now urge the international community to turn
words into action and make every effort to bring lasting peace to the
region.